Call for tougher penalties for corporate manslaughter
March 17, 2008
New research has claimed that the proposed penalties for companies found guilty of corporate manslaughter are much too low to make a real impact.
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 comes into force in less than a month's time on April 6, changing the focus of the law from identifying a single grossly negligent individual against whom a prosecution can be taken to looking more widely at the culpability of senior management in general for deaths in the workplace.
Although the new law allows for unlimited fines, remedial orders and publicity orders, the Sentencing Advisory Panel has recommended that companies found guilty of corporate manslaughter should be charged up to 10 per cent of global turnover.
However, the Centre for Corporate Accountability (CCA), which commissioned the research, argues that this is much too low.
Instead, they campaign group has called for fines to be in the region of 15 to 40 per cent.
Under existing arrangements, the CCS claimed, fines for health and safety breaches resulting in the death of a worker have averaged just one per cent of gross profits since the start of 2006.
Executive director David Bergman said: "The threat of fines of between 15 to 40 per cent of turnover is the kind of punishment appropriate to the seriousness of the offence and will create a real deterrent effect against companies needlessly placing the lives of workers and members of the public at risk."
Find out more about Corporate Manslaughter
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 comes into force in less than a month's time on April 6, changing the focus of the law from identifying a single grossly negligent individual against whom a prosecution can be taken to looking more widely at the culpability of senior management in general for deaths in the workplace.
Although the new law allows for unlimited fines, remedial orders and publicity orders, the Sentencing Advisory Panel has recommended that companies found guilty of corporate manslaughter should be charged up to 10 per cent of global turnover.
However, the Centre for Corporate Accountability (CCA), which commissioned the research, argues that this is much too low.
Instead, they campaign group has called for fines to be in the region of 15 to 40 per cent.
Under existing arrangements, the CCS claimed, fines for health and safety breaches resulting in the death of a worker have averaged just one per cent of gross profits since the start of 2006.
Executive director David Bergman said: "The threat of fines of between 15 to 40 per cent of turnover is the kind of punishment appropriate to the seriousness of the offence and will create a real deterrent effect against companies needlessly placing the lives of workers and members of the public at risk."
Find out more about Corporate Manslaughter
More Corporate manslaughter news:
Essex councils join HSE in 'myth busting' - October 15, 2008Good leadership 'required for workplace safety' - September 25, 2008
Firework death case adjourned - September 2, 2008
Equity fines for corporate accountability - August 26, 2008
Employee health and safety 'must move up firms' priority list' - August 22, 2008
